The King has honoured Scotland as a “uniquely special place” for the Royal Family during the 25th anniversary of the Scottish parliament. During the event marking the quarter-century milestone at Holyrood, the King shared, “From a personal perspective, Scotland has always held a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself.”
He mentioned his grandmother’s pride in her Scottish heritage and his late mother’s cherished moments at Balmoral, where she spent her final days. Highlighting the unity brought by a shared love for Scotland, the King praised the nation’s “natural beauty,” “strength of character,” “diversity of its people,” and “passions and deeply held beliefs.”
He posed a rhetorical question, expressing admiration for the “complex Caledonian kaleidoscope” spanning from the central belt to the north Highlands, including the islands, Ayrshire, the Borders, cities, towns, villages, and coastal communities.
“Scotland has always had a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself.”
The King and Queen marked the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament today.
During their visit, Kinga Charles gave a touching speech where he reflected on his love for the country. pic.twitter.com/SXk86ga4PP
— The Royal Family Channel (@RoyalFamilyITNP) September 28, 2024
Presiding officer Alison Johnstone and the Queen were seated beside him as he delivered his speech.
After his address, a member of the public hugged the King, explaining it was due to his health issues. The 75 year old King had been diagnosed with cancer in February but has since resumed his public duties.
Yvonne Macmillan, 59, from East Renfrewshire, attended the ceremony with her husband Russell, who is registered blind and recognised as a “local hero” for his community work.
She recounted asking the King if he felt better and if she could hug him, saying, “As I hugged him, I said, ‘God bless you,’ so it was like God giving him a hug.”
The King’s speech followed the legislative efforts of Sir Tony Blair’s Labour government, which enabled Scottish devolution in 1997, with the parliament officially opening on 1 July 1999. The King has visited the parliament six times since its inception, while Queen Elizabeth II visited ten times during her life.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who has served since the beginning of devolution, remarked in his speech on Saturday that the parliament has become “the very heart of the nation,” describing it as a “vessel of enlightenment, invention, and creativity.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at the Scottish Parliament to mark its 25th anniversary. The King looks good in a kilt and I really like the tartan on The Queen’s coat 🏴💙#KingCharlesIII #QueenCamilla pic.twitter.com/x6TLP3xfsQ
— The British Prince (@freedom_007__) September 28, 2024
Christine Grahame, another long-serving MSP, highlighted the significant policies achieved by the Scottish parliament, including free tuition, free prescriptions, initiatives to combat child poverty, the smoking ban, the baby box, and the return of ScotRail to public ownership.
She credited these accomplishments to the parliament and the commitment to self-determination.
The King acknowledged the devolved parliament’s capacity to “touch and improve the lives of so many individuals.” However, he emphasised that “much more remains to be done” for Scotland and the UK, particularly regarding climate change.
He urged those present to view this moment as the start of a new chapter, confident that the past achievements and current dedication provide a strong foundation for the future.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Sky News reports King hails Scotland as ‘uniquely special’ marking a milestone, and is hugged by a woman, highlighting royal visit and public affection. (Read more)
- BBC reported that King Charles emphasised Scotland’s “uniquely special” role, highlighting the need for proactive climate action while celebrating the Scottish Parliament’s 25th anniversary and its foundational values of wisdom and compassion. (Read more)
- The Telegraph reports King Charles hailing Scotland as a ‘uniquely special place’ for his family, celebrating 25 years of the Scottish Parliament and its enduring relationship with the crown. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why did the King say Scotland is special to the Royal Family?
Scotland holds personal significance due to family ties and cherished memories at Balmoral.
What did the King say about Scotland in his speech?
He praised its natural beauty, strength of character, diversity, and deeply held beliefs.
How many times has the King visited the Scottish parliament?
The King has visited the Scottish parliament six times since 1999.
What did the King say about the future of Scotland and the UK?
He stressed the need for continued progress, particularly regarding climate change.
What are some achievements of the Scottish parliament mentioned in the article?
Free tuition, free prescriptions, tackling child poverty, smoking ban, baby box, and ScotRail public ownership.
